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Spring Safety Guide
It’s spring! Time for spring cleaning, barbequing, gardening, and bicycle rides. With all these exciting seasonal activities and changes, reviewing safety measures is essential.
This spring, prioritize your home and family’s safety by following these proactive guidelines.
Home and Belongings
This time of year, it is important to remember the seasonal changes that affect different areas of our homes.
- Going out of town for spring break? Let a trusted neighbor know you are traveling so they can watch for any suspicious activity around your home.
- Secure all lawn and gardening equipment and put away ladders and other tools when not in use. Keep your garage doors closed at all times, even when doing work around your home.
- Always ensure that doors and windows are locked, even if you only step out for a brief moment to check the mailbox. Don’t forget to lock the door from your garage to inside your home.
- Bring garage door openers with you when you leave your car. Treat them as a key to your home.
Window Safety
As the weather warms up, the Sheriff’s Office receives increased calls of children falling from open windows. Window falls can happen quickly and unexpectedly, but are also 100% preventable. Keep these tips in mind when letting sunshine and breeze in.
- Keep windows closed and locked when not in use or when young children are present. If needed for ventilation, try to open a window that is out of reach of children.
- Install window stops or guards– screens are to keep bugs out, not children in. Ensure that windows are open no more than four inches, even with screens installed.
- Avoid placing furniture or items that children can climb near a window; this minimizes the risk of children exploring and potentially falling.
- Teach children to stay at least 2 feet away from windows and consistently reinforce this safety rule.
Daylight Saving Safety Checks
Springing forward is a great time to safety-check commonly missed areas in your home.
- Batteries: smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as security cameras.
- Medicine cabinets: properly dispose of any unneeded or expired medication. Make sure they are kept in areas where children can’t reach.
- First aid kits: ensure you have unexpired supplies needed for any type of emergency.
- Family emergency plan: ensure everyone knows how to communicate, where to meet if you are separated, and where emergency supplies are kept.
Bicycle Safety Rules
Not only is biking great exercise, but it can also be a fun and healthy activity for the whole family. Practice good riding techniques to ensure safe and proper biking. Be a “roll model” for kids and others by demonstrating safe practices.
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet.
- Adjust your bicycle to fit your height, and check the tires and brakes before you ride.
- Use hand signals to alert other vehicles in which direction you are traveling.
- Wear bright-colored, neon, or reflective clothing, and use lights when riding.
Read more about bicycle safety(Link opens in new window).
As always, if you see something suspicious, say something! Call 503-629-0111(Link opens phone app) for non-emergencies and 9-1-1 for emergencies.
You can also file a police report online using our Online Reporting system. Please note that not all crimes qualify for online reporting.